System including a sleep detection mechanism

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus of using sleep monitoring is described. The method comprises monitoring the user&#39;s state using a plurality of sensors in a sensor system and detecting when the user is falling asleep. The method further comprises adjusting settings in an associated device in response to the user falling asleep.

RELATED

The present application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/918,856, filed on Jun. 14, 2013, issuing on Jul. 19, 2016 as U.S.Pat. No. 9,395,792, and incorporates that application by reference inits entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to devices, and more particularly to adevice including a sleep detection mechanism.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices range from smart phones, to electronic books such as theKINDLE® by AMAZON® and the NOOK® by BARNES AND NOBLE®, and others, totablet computers. Some of these devices now have sensors, such as touchscreens and accelerometers. Accelerometers are useful, for example, todetect when the device is dropped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of one embodiment of the elements of thesystem.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the mobile device andserver system.

FIG. 3 is an overview flowchart of one embodiment of using the sleepdetection system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of adjusting wirelessconnectivity.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of one embodiment of altering wirelessconnectivity in a multi-device system.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of one embodiment of reactions to detecting theuser falling asleep.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of one embodiment of reactions to detecting theuser being awake.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system thatmay be used with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A device capable of monitoring sleep data is described. The device, inone embodiment interacts with a sensor system, which may be incorporatedinto the device. In embodiment, the sensor system may be implemented ina wrist-worn or other body-worn device. The sensor system may interactwith a display system. In one embodiment, the mobile device includingthe sensor system is an eReader device, such as the KINDLE® by AMAZON®or the NOOK® by BARNES AND NOBLE®. In one embodiment, the sensor systemis the wrist-worn device such as a wristband, and an associated displaysystem is the eReader device, or a smart phone device, tablet device, oranother type of computing device.

The sensor system monitors the user's state. When it detects the userfalling asleep, in one embodiment, it turns off the network connectionbetween the mobile device and other devices. In one embodiment, this mayinclude turning off a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection between thewristband sensor system and the display device and/or the wirelessnetwork connection between the mobile device and a server. In oneembodiment it turns off the screen of the display device if appropriate.In one embodiment, the system also adjusts the user environment toenhance sleep quality. In one embodiment, it also stores data about whenthe user fell asleep. In one embodiment, the sensor system detects thatthe user is waking up, the systems are turned back on. Thus, when theuser wakes up and checks on his or her sleep data, the data is availablefor display, even though the wireless signals are cut off while the useris sleeping. This saves power, by turning off those elements that arenot needed while the user is sleeping. This may also be appreciated bythose that do not want a continuous wireless signal while they aresleeping due to health concerns, but do want to have up-to-dateinformation on their display device whenever they check their data.

The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention makesreference to the accompanying drawings in which like references indicatesimilar elements, showing by way of illustration specific embodiments ofpracticing the invention. Description of these embodiments is insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theinvention. One skilled in the art understands that other embodiments maybe utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical, functional andother changes may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, notto be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present inventionis defined only by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of one embodiment of the elements of thesystem. The system includes one or more user devices 100, which mayinclude an eReader device 110, a user mobile device 120, and a userwearable device 130, and a user computing device 140. In one embodiment,the sensors, which may include accelerometer sensors and other sensors,may be located in the eReader device 110, user mobile device 120, oruser wearable device 130. If the sensors are located on a user wearabledevice 130, in one embodiment the user wearable device 130 is associatedwith a display device. The display device may be the eReader device 110,user mobile device 120, or computer device 140. In one embodiment, thedisplay device may also be a server 160 which provides data to the uservia a website or similar mechanism.

In one embodiment, the eReader device 110 may be customized tabletcomputer such as the KINDLE® by AMAZON® or the NOOK® by BARNES ANDNOBLE®. In one embodiment, the eReader device 110 may be another type ofmobile device, which enables a user to consume media.

The user mobile device 120 may be a user smart phone, tablet computer,or other mobile device. In one embodiment, the user mobile device 120may include sensors that may be used for monitoring the user's status,including sleep.

The user wearable device 130 may be a user wristband device, such as theUP® by JAWBONE®, FUELBAND® by NIKE®, or a clip-on device such as theFITBIT®, or another type of device that may be worn by the user duringsleep, including sensors. Optionally, the wearable device 130 mayinclude a display.

In one embodiment, the user device 100 may communicate with server 160.In one embodiment, the user device 100 may also obtain data from server160 and/or third party data source 170. Third party data sources 170 mayinclude web sites, servers, and other data sources. For example, weatherdata may be obtained from third party data source 170.

The system utilizes sensor data to detect a user's state, and based onthat state perform various adjustments. For example, the system mayadjust the user interface features of the eReader device 110 or mobiledevice 120. In one embodiment, the system may also turn off the network,when the user is sleeping, so that data is not synchronized. In oneembodiment, the system may also communicate with environmental controls180 to alter external environment. For example, environmental controls180 may alter the room temperature, room lighting, ambient sounds, orother factors. In one embodiment, any environmental feature that may becontrolled via a network connection may be included in environmentalcontrols 180.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the mobile device andserver system. The user device 200 includes a sensor system 210 and adisplay system 220. In one embodiment, the user device 200 may beimplemented in a single device, such as a smart phone or eReader. Inanother embodiment, the user device 200 may include two devices, a firstdevice including the sensor system 210 and a second display system 220,which is linked to the sensor system 210 via a wireless connection.

In one embodiment, if the sensor system 210 is a separate device such asa wristband or similar body-worn device, the sensor system 210 monitorsthe user's data continuously.

In one embodiment, if the sensor system 210 is integrated with thedisplay system 220, such as a smart phone or eReader including sensors,the sensors 212 may operate to detect movement when the device is beingheld by the user whether in the hand, a pocket, or bag. In oneembodiment, the user system 200 also works if it is placed next to theuser on a bed or sofa or other soft surface, or in proximity with theuser in such a way that the movements of the user can be picked up bythe user system 200. In one embodiment, when the user device 200 has notmoved for an extended period, some or all of the sensor system may bepowered down, or put into a low power state, until movement is detected.

In one embodiment, both a body-worn device and a display device mayinclude sensors. In one embodiment, in such a system there are twosensor systems 210, and the data from both sensor systems 210 may beutilized in combination, to determine user state.

In one embodiment, the sensor system 210 includes a plurality of sensors212. The plurality of sensors 212 may include one or more of thefollowing sensors: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a temperature sensor(alternatively a pair of temperature sensors to measure a user's bodytemperature and ambient temperature), a magnetometer, a barometer, analtimeter, a heart rate sensor, a brain wave sensor, and other sensors.The sensors 212 are used, in one embodiment, to determine the user'sstate.

User state detection 214 detects the user's state. In one embodiment,the user state detection 214 may identify the user's sleep state. In oneembodiment, the sleep states may be identified as disclosed inco-pending patent application U.S. Ser. No. 12/819,195, which isincorporated herein in its entirety. In one embodiment, the sensorsystem 210 may make this determination. In another embodiment, thesensor system 210 may send sensor data to display system 220, which maymake the determination, using State monitor 230.

Sensor system 210, if it is a separate device, includes a sensor synclogic 216, to synchronize data with display system 220 and/or server270. In one embodiment, if the sensor system 210 synchronizes the datawith the display system using sensor wireless connection 218. The sensorwireless connection 218 may be a Bluetooth connection, such as BluetoothLow Energy (BLE). In one embodiment, another Personal Area Network (PAN)may be used. Other relatively low power connections may be utilized.

Sensor sync logic 216 controls sensor wireless connection 218, and mayturn off sensor wireless connection 218, when it is not needed. In oneembodiment, when the user state detection 214 detects that the user isasleep, the sensor wireless connection is turned off 218. This savespower, and may be preferred by users as it reduces the amount ofradiation. In one embodiment, this may be an option set by the user.

The sensor wireless connection 218 sends data to the mobile wirelessconnection 225. The display system 220 includes a plurality of features.

State monitor 230 either processes sensor data from sensors 212 orreceives the processed sensor data/state data from state detection 214in sensor system 210. State monitor 230 uses the user's state to controlone or more elements of display system 220 and/or remote systems. In oneembodiment, the UI adjustment logic 240 may be used to adjust theoutputs of the display system. These outputs may include the brightnessof a display, the color tones of a display, the volume of sound, theselection of sounds/songs, the tactile feedback and other user interfacefeatures. In one embodiment, state monitor 230 may also useenvironmental control logic 245 to adjust external environments, such asroom temperature, room lighting, white noise machines, etc. One exampleof such external controls is described in co-pending application Ser.No. 13/622,325, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

State data store 250 provides store of historical sensor data. In oneembodiment, state data store 250 stores sleep state data. User interface253 enables the user to view the user's state data. For example, thestate data may include sleep states, when, how much, and in what statethe user slept. The state data may also include activity data, when, howmuch, and how intensively the user exercised. The state data may alsoinclude motion data, how much and when the user moved in general (e.g.steps taken or similar movement data.) Other data derived from thesensor data obtained via sensors 212 may also be shown to the user.

In one embodiment, smart waking logic 260 determines when and how towake the user, when the user is asleep. In one embodiment, the smartwaking logic 260 takes into account factors such as the time of day,calendars and/or alarms 235, and other relevant data. For example, thesystem may determine that the user falling asleep midday should have apower nap, rather than a full-length sleep. In that case, in oneembodiment, smart waking logic 260 would pass the control to power naplogic 255. Power nap logic 255, in one embodiment, monitors the user'ssleep data using sensors 212 to ensure that the user takes a refreshingshort nap. An example of the implementation of the power nap logic 255is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/676,015, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Sync logic 265 controls the mobile wireless connection 225 which mayconnect the display system 220 to sensor system 210 and/or server 270.Mobile wireless connection 225 may include a personal area networkconnection, a WiFi connection, a cellular network connection, and/oranother type of wireless connection. The sync logic 265 may turn off oneor more of the connections. In one embodiment, the system turns off thewireless connections 225 when the user is asleep. In one embodiment, thesync logic 265 may turn off the WiFi connection to the server 270whenever the display system 220 is not in use.

Server 270, in one embodiment, is used as an additional display,including user interface system 285. In one embodiment, the server 270also includes server sync logic 280, and third party connection 290. Theserver sync logic 280 enables the display system 220 and/or sensorsystem 210 to sync the sensor and/or state data to the server. In oneembodiment, the server 270 stores the data in long-term sleep data store275. In one embodiment, long-term sleep data store 275 enables the userto review historical data. In one embodiment, the server 270 alsogenerates statistical data from sleep data from a large number of users.This statistical data, in one embodiment, may be used to learn aboutsleep and health patterns of users overall. In one embodiment, the sleeprecommendation engine 295 may use this statistical data to makerecommendations to users. In one embodiment, recommendation engine 295may be customized based on the user's own data.

In one embodiment, server 270 may also obtain third party data. In oneembodiment, the display system 220 may also access third party datadirectly using mobile wireless connection 225.

In one embodiment, sensor system 210 is a wristband coupled to thedisplay system 220 via a BLE or similar low power local connection.Display system 220 in one embodiment is a smart phone device or eReaderdevice, coupled to the wristband via the BLE. The display system 220 iscoupled to the server 270 via a WiFi connection.

In another embodiment, the user device 200 is smartphone or eReaderdevice including the sensor system 210 and display system 220. The userdevice 200 is coupled to the server via a WiFi or another connection.

FIG. 3 is an overview flowchart of one embodiment of using the sleepdetection system. The process in on embodiment starts at block 310 whenthe system is initiated.

At block 320, the user's state is monitored using a plurality ofsensors. The user's state may include a sleep state, activity state,ergonomic state, or other user state data. In one embodiment, the systemobtains sensor data, and analyzes the sensor data to obtain user state.In one embodiment, the sensors may include an accelerometer andtemperature sensor. As noted above, the sensors may be integrated into adisplay device such as a smart phone, eReader, or other carried device.The sensors may be in a body-worn device such as a wristband, watch,clip-on sensor, or similar configuration. In one embodiment, both thebody-worn device and the display device may include sensors, and thedata from both sets of sensors may be utilized in determining userstate.

At block 330, the process determines whether the user is falling asleep.If the user is not falling asleep, at user 340, the process determineswhether it is time for the user to fall asleep. If not, the processreturns to block 320, to continue monitoring the user's state. If it istime for the user to fall asleep, the process continues to block 350.

At block 350, the display device outputs are adjusted to increase thelikelihood of sleep. In one embodiment, the display device outputs mayinclude display intensity, display color tones, sounds, and otheroutputs. In one embodiment, a less bright screen is considered moreconducive to sleep. In one embodiment, a display without blue light isconsidered more conducive to sleep. Of course, less loud sound, andsmoother sounds is more conducive to sleep. In one embodiment, the usermay also be informed that it is time for sleep. The process then returnsto block 320 to continue monitoring the user's state.

If the user is falling asleep, as determined at block 330, the processcontinues to block 360. At block 360, the display device is turned off.The wireless connections are turned off, in one embodiment. This reducespower consumption, and radiation.

At block 370, the user environment may be adjusted to enhance sleepquality. The user environment may include room temperature, lighting,sounds, and other factors that may be controlled by the user device. Atblock 375, the user's sleep state is monitored using the sensors. In oneembodiment, the sensors continue monitoring the user. In one embodiment,the other aspects of the user device may be turned off to save power.

At block 380, the process determines whether the user is waking up. Ifthe user is not waking up, the process returns to block 370 to adjustthe environment if needed, and continue monitoring the user's sleepstate.

If the user is waking up as determined at block 380, the processcontinues to block 390. At block 390, the wireless connection is turnedon, and the data is synchronized. By synchronizing the sensor data, ifthe user turns on the display device, he or she will immediately see theuser state data. Thus, from the user's perspective the state data isalways available, despite the wireless being turned off while the useris sleeping. The process then returns to block 320, to continuemonitoring the user's state.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of adjusting wirelessconnectivity. The process starts at block 410. In one embodiment, thisprocess discusses in more detail the turning off of connectivity for aneReader device.

At block 415, the process detects the user falling asleep.

At block 420, the length of time of reading in bed, and time to fallasleep.

At block 425, the process turns off the wireless connection.

At block 430, the process determines whether the sensors are indicatingthat the user is waking up. If so, the wireless connection is turnedback on and the sensor is synchronized with the display device. Theprocess then ends at block 455.

If the sensors are not indicating that the user is waking the processcontinues to block 440. At block 440, the process determines whether thealarm will be sounding shortly. If so, the process continues to block435 to turn on the wireless connection and synchronize.

If the alarm will not be sounding shortly, the process continues toblock 450. In one embodiment, at block 450, the process determineswhether the predicted wake-up time is approaching. In one embodiment,the system can predict a wake-up time, in the absence of an alarm basedon the user's historical data. For example, most users sleepapproximately the same length of time each day, e.g. generally between 6and 9 hours. So the system may be able to predict an estimated wake-uptime based on a current sleep state and the estimated length of thesleep. If the prediction indicates that the user is likely to wake upshortly, the process continues to block 435 to turn on the wirelessconnection and synchronize the device. In this way, the system can turnoff the wireless connection when the user is asleep but presentsynchronized data to the user immediately upon waking.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of one embodiment of altering wirelessconnectivity in a multi-device system. In one embodiment, the userdevice is implemented as two devices, a sensor device implemented in abody-worn device such as a wristband, watch, glass or similar device,and display device, which receives data from the body-worn device. Theprocess starts at block 510.

At block 520, the user's state is monitored using sensors on a wearablesensor device.

At block 530, the process determines whether the user has fallen asleep.If not, at block 540, the system continues to synchronize the sensordata from the sensor device to the display device via a personal areanetwork. In one embodiment, the connectivity is maintained via aBluetooth Low Power (BLE) connection. At block 550, the system continuesto synchronize the display device with the server using the WiFiconnection. By having the display device synchronize the data with theserver, the sensor device has a better battery life. The process thenreturns to block 520 to continue monitoring the user's state.

If the user has fallen asleep, as determined at block 530, the processcontinues to block 560.

At block 560, the last set of sensor data from the sensor device is sentto the display device. In one embodiment, this includes the data on theuser falling asleep. Then the PAN connection in the sensor device isturned off, in one embodiment.

At block 570, the last set of data is sent from the display device tothe server, and the WiFi connection of the display device are turnedoff. In one embodiment, the PAN connection is also turned off. In oneembodiment, the PAN connection is turned on periodically to enable thedisplay device to receive data from the sensor device.

At block 580, the process determines whether the user is waking up. Theuser waking up is determined based on the sensor data from the sensordevice. In one embodiment, a subset of the sensors and other elements ofthe sensor device are turned off to reduce power consumption. In oneembodiment, a subset of the display device is also turned off.

If the user is waking up, the PAN is turned on in the sensor device, andthe data is sent to the display device, at block 590. The display deviceturns on the WiFi, and synchronizes the data to the server. The processthen ends at block 595.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of one embodiment of reactions to detecting theuser falling asleep. The process starts at block 610.

At block 615, the process detects the user falling asleep.

At block 620, the process determines whether the user should be awake.In one embodiment, if the user is scheduled to be studying or working,or it is the middle of the day, the system may determine that the usershould be awake. In one embodiment, if the user has an item on thecalendar for which he or she needs to prepare, such as a test or ameeting or a project due, the system may determine that the user needsto be awake.

If the system determines that the user should be awake, when the systemdetects the user starting to fall asleep, at block 625 the systemadjusts to wake the user. In one embodiment, this may include making aloud noise, brightening the screen, changing the sound output tosomething that is likely to wake the user, sounding an alarm, etc. Inone embodiment, the system may also adjust environmental conditions toreduce the likelihood that the user will fall asleep. For example, inone embodiment, the room temperature is set to a cooler temperature, andthe lighting levels in the room are raised. Other adjustments may alsobe made. The process then ends at block 655.

If, at block 620, the process determined that the user need not be awakeat this time, the process continues to block 630. At block 630, theprocess determines whether it is OK for the user to sleep for anextended period. If it is not OK for the user to sleep for an extendedperiod, at block 635, the system sets up a power-nap. A power nap is ashort sleep period (generally ranging between 21 and 35 minutes) whichis refreshing to the user. By allowing the user to power nap, the usergets the benefit of some rest, without the time investment of a fullsleep. The process then ends, at block 655.

If it is OK to sleep for an extended time, as determined at block 630,the process continues to block 640. At block 640, the process determineswhether an alarm is set. In one embodiment, the user may have set analarm manually. The alarm may be one-time or a repeating alarm. If noalarm is set, in one embodiment, the system may automatically set analarm based on appointments in the user's calendar. In one embodiment,the system may set an alarm based on a calendar item. For example, inone embodiment, an alarm may be set 30 minutes before a calendarappointment, to ensure that the user can be ready. In one embodiment,the lead time provided before the time of the calendar appointment maybe adjusted based on real-time factors. For example, if the user has anappointment 30 minutes away, given current traffic conditions, the leadtime may be adjusted to account for the time to wake, get dressed andprepared, and drive to the appointment.

If there is an alarm set, or automatically set by the system, at block645 the user's sleep is monitored to wake the user at an optimal time,based on the alarm. In one embodiment, instead of sounding the alarm ata particular time, the system sounds the alarm within a range of time(e.g. 30 minutes) at an optimal point in the user's sleep cycle. Theprocess then ends at bock 655.

If there is no alarm set or generated, at block 650, the user allowed tosleep. In one embodiment, the user's environment may be adjusted toenhance sleep. In one embodiment, this may be done with any of the sleepsettings discussed above. The process then ends.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of one embodiment of reactions to detecting theuser being awake. The process starts at block 710. In one embodiment,these methods are used to guide a user toward sleep, when the systemdetermines that the user is awake but should be asleep.

At block 715, the system detects an awake user when the settings saythat the user should be asleep. In one embodiment, the system mayindicate that the user should be asleep when it is late night. In oneembodiment, the system may determine that it is time for the user to besleeping when the user has an alarm set within a time period thatindicates that the user should be asleep to get a full night of sleep.

At block 720, the process informs the user that he or she should begoing to sleep.

At block 725, the system reduces the lighting levels on the eReaderdevice, if the user is reading. In one embodiment, in addition toreducing lighting levels, the system may also reduce certain lightcomponents that are associated with wakefulness.

At block 730, the system reduces the volume on the speakers, if the useris listening to music, a podcast, or other audio data. In oneembodiment, at block 735, the system may turns on sound, or optionallyreplaces the user's current listening choice with a more appropriatechoice to prompt the user to go to sleep. In one embodiment, this isdone only with the user's consent. In one embodiment, the sounds used toguide the user toward sleep may be white noise, or other sounds designedto trigger sleep.

At block 740, the process determines whether environmental controls areavailable. Environmental controls enable the user device, through theserver or directly, to control one or more external devices or controlsfor the home or other location. For example, environmental controls mayinclude control of local temperature, lighting levels, sounds, andoptionally other aspects such as scents, bed softness, etc. Ifenvironmental controls are available, at block 745 the environment isadjusted to guide the user toward sleep. For example, users are morelikely to fall asleep in a warm and dark room. Therefore, increasing theroom temperature and decreasing the lighting level may be useful toguide the user toward sleep. The process then ends at block 750.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a particular machine that may be used withthe present invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art, however that other alternative systems of various systemarchitectures may also be used.

The data processing system illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a bus or otherinternal communication means 840 for communicating information, and aprocessing unit 810 coupled to the bus 840 for processing information.The processing unit 810 may be a central processing unit (CPU), adigital signal processor (DSP), or another type of processing unit 810.

The system further includes, in one embodiment, a random access memory(RAM) or other volatile storage device 820 (referred to as memory),coupled to bus 840 for storing information and instructions to beexecuted by processor 810. Main memory 820 may also be used for storingtemporary variables or other intermediate information during executionof instructions by processing unit 810.

The system also comprises in one embodiment a read only memory (ROM) 850and/or static storage device 850 coupled to bus 840 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processor 810. In one embodiment, thesystem also includes a data storage device 830 such as a magnetic diskor optical disk and its corresponding disk drive, or Flash memory orother storage which is capable of storing data when no power is suppliedto the system. Data storage device 830 in one embodiment is coupled tobus 840 for storing information and instructions.

The system may further be coupled to an output device 870, such as acathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) coupled to bus840 through bus 860 for outputting information. The output device 870may be a visual output device, an audio output device, and/or tactileoutput device (e.g. vibrations, etc.)

An input device 875 may be coupled to the bus 860. The input device 875may be an alphanumeric input device, such as a keyboard includingalphanumeric and other keys, for enabling a user to communicateinformation and command selections to processing unit 810. An additionaluser input device 880 may further be included. One such user inputdevice 880 is cursor control device 880, such as a mouse, a trackball,stylus, cursor direction keys, or touch screen, may be coupled to bus840 through bus 860 for communicating direction information and commandselections to processing unit 810, and for controlling movement ondisplay device 870.

Another device, which may optionally be coupled to computer system 800,is a network device 885 for accessing other nodes of a distributedsystem via a network. The communication device 885 may include any of anumber of commercially available networking peripheral devices such asthose used for coupling to an Ethernet, token ring, Internet, or widearea network, personal area network, wireless network or other method ofaccessing other devices. The communication device 885 may further be anull-modem connection, or any other mechanism that provides connectivitybetween the computer system 800 and the outside world.

Note that any or all of the components of this system illustrated inFIG. 8 and associated hardware may be used in various embodiments of thepresent invention.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that theparticular machine that embodies the present invention may be configuredin various ways according to the particular implementation. The controllogic or software implementing the present invention can be stored inmain memory 820, mass storage device 830, or other storage mediumlocally or remotely accessible to processor 810.

It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that thesystem, method, and process described herein can be implemented assoftware stored in main memory 820 or read only memory 850 and executedby processor 810. This control logic or software may also be resident onan article of manufacture comprising a computer readable medium havingcomputer readable program code embodied therein and being readable bythe mass storage device 830 and for causing the processor 810 to operatein accordance with the methods and teachings herein.

The present invention may also be embodied in a handheld or portabledevice containing a subset of the computer hardware components describedabove. For example, the handheld device may be configured to containonly the bus 840, the processor 810, and memory 850 and/or 820. In oneembodiment, the sensor system, discussed above, may include a pluralityof sensors, a processor such as a DSP, a memory, and a communicationsystem. The display device, on the other hand, in one embodiment,includes optionally one or more sensors, the processor, memory,communications mechanism, user I/O, and other elements.

The handheld device may be configured to include a set of buttons orinput signaling components with which a user may select from a set ofavailable options. These could be considered input device #1 875 orinput device #2 880. The handheld device may also be configured toinclude an output device 870 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) ordisplay element matrix for displaying information to a user of thehandheld device. Conventional methods may be used to implement such ahandheld device. The implementation of the present invention for such adevice would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art given thedisclosure of the present invention as provided herein.

The present invention may also be embodied in a special purposeappliance including a subset of the computer hardware componentsdescribed above, such as a kiosk or a vehicle. For example, theappliance may include a processing unit 810, a data storage device 830,a bus 840, and memory 820, and no input/output mechanisms, or onlyrudimentary communications mechanisms, such as a small touch-screen thatpermits the user to communicate in a basic manner with the device. Ingeneral, the more special-purpose the device is, the fewer of theelements need be present for the device to function. In some devices,communications with the user may be through a touch-based screen, orsimilar mechanism. In one embodiment, the device may not provide anydirect input/output signals, but may be configured and accessed througha website or other network-based connection through network device 885.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that anyconfiguration of the particular machine implemented as the computersystem may be used according to the particular implementation. Thecontrol logic or software implementing the present invention can bestored on any machine-readable medium locally or remotely accessible toprocessor 810. A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism forstoring information in a form readable by a machine (e.g. a computer).For example, a machine readable medium includes read-only memory (ROM),random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storagemedia, flash memory devices, or other storage media which may be usedfor temporary or permanent data storage. In one embodiment, the controllogic may be implemented as transmittable data, such as electrical,optical, acoustical or other forms of propagated signals (e.g. carrierwaves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.).

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the flowchartsshown are conceptual representations of the operations used. Thespecific operations of the processes may not be performed in the exactorder shown and described. Furthermore, in some embodiments, some of theblocks shown may be skipped. Additionally, the specific operations maynot be performed in one continuous series of operations, and differentspecific operations may be performed in different embodiments.Furthermore, the process could be implemented using severalsub-processes, or as part of a larger macro process. For instance, insome embodiments, the processes may be performed by one or more softwareapplications that execute on one or more computers. Furthermore, theprocesses may be split between devices, such that a portion of a processis performed on one device, while another portion is performed onanother device.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however,be evident that various modifications and changes may be made theretowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are,accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense.

We claim:
 1. A method of using sleep monitoring comprising: monitoring auser's state using a plurality of sensors in a first device including asensor system; detecting when the user is falling asleep based on datafrom the sensor system; turning off a network connection in anassociated device in response to the detecting when the user is fallingasleep to reduce power consumption by the associated device.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises a body-worndevice, and the associated device comprises one of: a smart phone, ane-reader, a tablet computer, a display device, and a computer.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the network connection is a Bluetooth LowEnergy (BLE) connection.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:turning off a connection between the associated device and a server, inresponse to the user falling asleep.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining whether the user should be falling asleep, andif so, adjusting a user environment to increase a likelihood of a usersleeping.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein adjusting the userenvironment comprises lowering a display intensity, changing a soundoutput, and alerting the user.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining whether the user should be awake, and if so,adjusting the user environment to decrease the likelihood of a usersleeping.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining thata current sleep should be a power nap, based on a plurality of factors,and setting an alarm to awaken the user after a power nap.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein the plurality of factors comprise: time of day,calendar items, and user input.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: upon detecting the user waking up, turning on the networkconnection and synchronizing data, such that the associated device hasup-to-date information available to the user.
 11. A system comprising: asensor system including a plurality of sensors to monitor a status of auser interacting with a separate associated device; a user statedetection system to determine when a user falls asleep based on datafrom the plurality of sensors; an associated system controller, toadjust a turning off a network connection in the associated device whenthe user falls asleep, saving a state of the associated device.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the sensor system is incorporated into awearable device, the wearable device coupled to the associated systemvia a wireless connection.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein theassociated system is one of: an e-reader, a display device, a computer,and a mobile phone.
 14. The system of claim 12, further comprising: asensor sync logic to turn off the wireless connection when the sensorsystem detects that the user is asleep.
 15. The system of claim 11,wherein the sensor system is incorporated into the associated device,and the sensor system functions to detect the user state when: the useris holding the associated device and when the associated device isplaced on a soft surface in proximity to the user.
 16. The system ofclaim 11, further comprising: a user interface adjustment logic toadjust interface features based on the sensor data, to do one or moreof: assist the user in falling asleep, assist the user in fallingasleep, and set an appropriate sleep period.
 17. A device for sleepmonitoring comprising: a plurality of sensors to monitor a user's state;a user state detection system to detect when the user is falling asleep;and a sensor sync logic to adjust a setting on a separate associateddevice via a wireless connection in response to the user falling asleepand to turn off the wireless connection.
 18. The device of claim 17,wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a body-worn device, and theseparate associated device comprises one of: a smart phone, an e-reader,a display system, a tablet computer, and a computer.
 19. The device ofclaim 17, further comprising: the user state detection system todetermine that the user is waking up; and the sensor sync logic, inresponse to the determination that the user is waking up, to turn on thewireless connection and synchronize the sensor data to the displaydevice, such that current state data is available to the user at alltimes.
 20. The device of claim 17, wherein the associated devicecomprises: a user interface to interact with the user, the userinterface including one or more of a display and a sound output; a userinterface adjustment logic to adjust the user interface in response tothe user state data, the adjustment comprising one or more of: adjustinga user environment to increase or decrease a likelihood of a usersleeping, wherein adjusting the user environment comprises one or moreof: altering a display intensity on the display device, changing a soundoutput, and alerting the user.